How long to leave kolsch

m_rawdin · Post by **m_rawdin** » Tue Jun 27, 2017 7:29 pm

I am going to be brewing a Kolsch soon but was wondering how long I should leave it in the corny keg before its at its best to drink?

Hanglow · Post by **Hanglow** » Tue Jun 27, 2017 9:23 pm

From Kunze, he says to lager @ 4 to 5 degrees C for 40 to 60 days or at 0 to 1 degrees C for 14 to 40 days .

Not that I've brewed one yet so can't comment from personal experience

IPA · Post by **IPA** » Wed Jun 28, 2017 7:18 am

m_rawdin wrote:I am going to be brewing a Kolsch soon but was wondering how long I should leave it in the corny keg before its at its best to drink?

Graham Wheeler in his European Beers book says 3-6 weeks at 4 degrees C.

windrider · Post by **windrider** » Wed Jun 28, 2017 12:44 pm

You want to drink Kolsch fresh, so anything from 2-3 weeks (onwards) is fine. Having just brewed my 3rd batch this is one of my favourite styles to brew!

Just sent a Kolsch to a competition which will be 16 weeks old by the time its judged. Will be interesting to see how it scores as I think it's past its best.

alix101 · Post by **alix101** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 8:28 am

There's no need to lager a kolsch.
I generally leave it to ferment for 3 weeks at 17c and crash cool for the last 2 days ....
As long as you've left it long enough to clear any possible diacetyl you can't go wrong oh and clarity.
It's an excellent strain of yeast and some yeast flavours are desirable. ..sulphur and a slight fruity ester...

Hanglow · Post by **Hanglow** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 11:06 am

Surely then it wouldn't be a Kolsch style beer? as it's a top fermented lager beer

Although I'm sure it would taste fine

mosquat · Post by **mosquat** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:07 pm

Made it once recently and left it for a month at around 3c. It genuinely turned out great and will make it again. However opinion on the topic of lagering is changing, I think there's potential to follow alix101's advice. I would definitely try to crash at 0c or a touch below if you can so you get it crystal clear.

Good luck!

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alexlark · Post by **alexlark** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 3:37 pm

Check out Brulosophy's quick lagering method. That will get you thinking.

tuffty22 · Post by **tuffty22** » Tue Jul 04, 2017 1:12 pm

"Check out Brulosophy's quick lagering method. That will get you thinking."

I have done this twice now and no ill effects, would thoroughly recommend. I did feel however the 2 weeks from grain to glass was pushing it, the beer was at its best in my opinion from week 4 onwards.

alexlark · Post by **alexlark** » Tue Jul 04, 2017 10:06 pm

The comments on their site more or less agree with you. I've got a Kolsch fermenting now, 3 days in following their Kolsch profile.

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